Candidates who’ve already served win three council races
A trio of political veterans will fill the three contested seats on the Vancouver City Council, with two incumbents and a returning council member all winning handily Tuesday night.
Position 1
The closest race centered on the seat that will be vacated by the retirement of longtime Councilor Pat Jollota in January.
Former Councilor Jack Burkman was leading challenger and retired Navy pilot Bill Turlay by a 55 percent to 45 percent margin in initial ballot results Tuesday night.
Burkman, 55, served on the council from 1997 to 2001, but decided not to run for re-election that year due to a family crisis. After 25 years serving in the community, he amassed a list of 500 endorsements during his run this election.
His first priority, he said, will be to focus on steering Vancouver toward economic recovery.
“We need more jobs and better jobs,” said Burkman, who works as a part-time consultant. “It’s a harsh economic time and I want to help the city get ahead.”
His race included a sharp contrast with Turlay over the proposed Columbia River Crossing. Burkman had said during the campaign that tolls will realistically be a part of the $3.1 billion to $4.2 billion project; Turlay had questioned the need for both the bridge and any proposed light rail.
Burkman said that his experience will allow him to enter City Hall ready to work.
“I do know what I’m getting myself into,” he said. “I stayed involved.”
Position 2
Incumbent Councilor Jeanne Stewart earned a third four-year term, defeating Mike Heywood, a former editorial page editor for The Columbian, 69 percent to 31 percent.
At the Clark County Public Service Center just after the results were announced, Stewart said she was pleased with the landslide. Stewart, 62, owns a small business and was originally elected to the council in 2001.
She called her campaign “a lot of hard work,” communicating with voters to learn their concerns and get feedback.
She said she hopes to spend the next four years bringing more citizens into the city’s decision-making process.
“One of my most important goals is for city government to reconnect with the citizens,” Stewart said. “It’s important for elected officials to have an idea of things that need to be accomplished … but it has to be a shared vision and a shared goal,” with residents.
Position 3
Longtime Councilor Jeanne Harris said her lead, with 62 percent of the vote Tuesday night, against retired mathematics teacher Anne McEnerny-Ogle was a sign that voters are happy with what she’s done during her 12 years of service.
“I’ve been serving the citizens for quite a while, and I think it tells me that they’re pretty pleased with the work I’ve done so far,” Harris said.
Harris, 53, who owns Harris Insurance Group in Battle Ground, already has a litany of things she hopes to accomplish during her fourth term.
City funding issues are going to move to the forefront, she said. The council must find solutions on how to pay for transportation, public safety and the city’s parks and recreation department, she said. Harris also said she’s also a strong supporter of building a performing arts center in Vancouver.
McEnerny-Ogle said she was disappointed by her loss, but also said she will take any opportunity possible to work on “behalf of the neighborhoods, youth and the community.”
Should Councilor Tim Leavitt keep his lead in the mayoral race against Mayor Royce Pollard, his seat will become vacant. McEnerny-Ogle said she’s interested in putting her name in the hat for an appointment to Leavitt’s seat.
“I’ll continue to look for opportunities to serve the community, including perhaps as a future City Council member,” she said.
